Security Challenges and National Integration in Nigeria`s Fourth Republic

Security Challenges and National Integration in Nigeria`s Fourth Republic.

ABSTRACT

The insecurity challenge in Nigeria has assumed a formidable dimension that not only requires a multistakeholder approach, as it is being touted in various quarters, in quelling this conflagration threatening Nigeria’s statehood, but also necessitates a revival and reinforcement of moral values and virtues.

The thirst for blood and the preference for violence in expressing pent-up frustration and disenchantment with the state, its citizens and national totems may be a pointer to the need to revive moral values and virtues within the socioeconomic, political, religious and educational institutions in the country.

Nigerian leaders, politicians and their amen corners must be forced to evince and uphold national integration through moral values and virtues in all their conduct in order to lead by example and to avoid heating up the polity unnecessarily by their conducts and comments which sometimes incite violence in their followers.

INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background of the Study

The issues of security of lives and property have attracted global attention in the 21^st century hardly would a month pass without hearing cases of security threats in terms of terrorism, insurgency or civil strife. Lately, Nigeria has been enmeshed in a firebox of insecurity leading to a score of deaths of innocent civilians, foreigners.

Some members of the nation’s security personnel, elected official and many government workers. The number of violent crime such as kidnappings, ritual killings, political-motivated killing and violence, either clash, armed banditry and other has increasingly become the regular signature that characterizes life in Nigeria.

Since 2009 [Imhonopi and Urim, 2012]. The government has tried everything from “force for force” to carrot and stick approach to diplomacy but the problem seems to rise with greater nonstrosity like the proverbial phoenix.

There has also been strong advocacy for a multi stake holder intervention to the insecurity question rather than learn on military options alone [Imhonopi & Urim, 2013; open society, 2012, Uyomu, 2001], but the problem has defined the present medication. It is getting.

This may not be unconnected with increasing ethnic hate, religious bigotry, political rivalry and a growing population of disgruntled citizens in the country who feel that they have been short-changed and given very limited or no access to the common patrimony.

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